Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Overhead neighbours talking about me?

186 replies

crazykatzz · 24/08/2026 17:10

I have always got on with my neighbour who lives a few a doors down.

I have babysat one of her kids and also looked after her cat when she goes on holiday.

She does have a mean girl vibe about her though and she does have a habit of talking about others.

I asked her to do look after my cats and do my bins whilst I was away with DC and she happily agreed.

Whilst I was loading the car I overheard and another neighbour complaining about me calling on my cats every night.

Convo was like

Neighbour 1 "Did you hear her yelling for her cats again?"

Neighbour who is looking after my cats "I heard it but went back to bed".

Neigbour 2 "I can't believe how her neighbours haven't said anything, it's every effing night, literally by their next door neighbours windows every night, literally, I am absolutely sick of it, wakes me up every effing night".

Neighbour who is looking after my cats "Yeah I know as it's as the back it is really loud."

I popped my head up from the passenger seat and they stopped talking.

For reference Neigbour 2 would regularly
play her music at for hours on end so it was ironic hearing her complain about me. I also helped her with her gardening.

I feel this is very 2 faced and want to step back and wondering why they didn't approach me directly instead of talking about me.?

AIBU to not talk to them when I get back of holiday?

I do suffer from anxiety so not sure if I am over reacting here.
AIBU

OP posts:
yamsam · 24/08/2026 17:20

I think it really depends on the context. If someone was outside calling for their cat every single night and it was waking me up, I’d probably find it annoying too. I suppose it depends how late it is and how long you’re actually out there calling for them.

That said, I’d feel awkward after overhearing that conversation as well, especially when you’ve helped them both out before.

Personally I wouldn’t say anything to them about it. I’d just take a bit of a step back, stay polite when I saw them and probably stop doing so many favours for them.

I also wouldn’t focus too much on the fact that neighbour 2 plays loud music. She can be annoying with her music and still be annoyed by you calling the cats.

I’d just keep things civil when you get back and maybe be a bit more mindful about how late you call them in. No need for a big confrontation.

CrowMate · 24/08/2026 17:20

She wasn’t the one leading the bitching and has every right to agree if you are doing that to the point you’re disturbing others in their homes.

YABVU.

MatildaTheCat · 24/08/2026 17:17

Not a nice thing to overhear but you do know now that your behaviour is causing annoyance to your neighbours and frankly it does sound annoying if it’s multiple times and late.

Change your behaviour and move on.

Holeymoley28 · 24/08/2026 17:16

But why are you always calling them in. Either let them out or don’t. But don’t shout for them multiple times a day every day.

babasaclover · 24/08/2026 17:16

Yeah it’s unsociable to call cats in every night disturbing others. What time do you do it? No point in approaching you directly as no one takes that kind of thing well

crazykatzz · 24/08/2026 17:15

Sometimes late evening and multiple times as I have several cats.

I think it was mentioned as I was in between calling the cats in and loading the car.

OP posts:
roseymoira · 24/08/2026 17:14

Are you outside shouting for cats every night? What time? Seems very antisocial

ThePM · 24/08/2026 17:14

Katey83 · 24/08/2026 17:11

the thing would have been to say ‘do you mean me?’ Then ‘sorry I didn’t realise how loud it was, I’ll keep it down in future.’ Then move on.

Exactly this, rather than being Not Talking, just have a conversation and say something.

BMW58 · 24/08/2026 17:14

What times do you call your cat, how long and how often?

You may simply be an annoying neighbour...... they may have a point!

Holeymoley28 · 24/08/2026 17:13

Doesn’t sound terrible.

They were having a small moan about you shouting for your cat every night.

Why do you shout for it every night? Can’t it stay out and use a cat flap?

Katey83 · 24/08/2026 17:11

the thing would have been to say ‘do you mean me?’ Then ‘sorry I didn’t realise how loud it was, I’ll keep it down in future.’ Then move on.

Swipe left for the next trending thread